The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta as part of its Youth Internship Scheme. The initiative is designed to provide practical, hands-on training for young people across various organizations for 12 months, equipping them with critical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs. Seledi-Thompson-Wakama, confirmed the development in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday. She stated that the selection process had been successfully completed, and beneficiaries were already being placed in different organizations to gain real-world experience. With the completion of these phases, she announced that stipend payments had officially commenced.
The internship scheme was formally launched on July 31, 2024, when Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the Federal Government’s approval of the N50,000 monthly stipend for participants. The program is a major component of the NDDC’s commitment to youth empowerment and skills development in the Niger Delta, a region historically affected by economic challenges and underdevelopment.
According to Thompson-Wakama, the 10,000 beneficiaries were carefully selected from a pool of over 3.2 million applicants, reflecting the high demand for youth empowerment opportunities in the region. She described the overwhelming response as a sign of the immense potential and aspirations of young people striving to improve their livelihoods.
She further emphasized that the commission remains committed to ensuring that this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating long-term economic impact and fostering a brighter future for the Niger Delta. The scheme has also enabled the NDDC to gather critical data on youth qualifications, skills, employment status, and specific needs, which will guide future policy decisions and tailor programs to address regional challenges effectively.
As part of efforts to strengthen governance and transparency, the NDDC has partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to refine its corporate governance framework. Thompson-Wakama revealed that KPMG had developed a Governance Advisory Report, which will help the commission transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focused approach in its policy implementation.
She commended the patience and cooperation of the youths throughout the selection process, assuring that the NDDC remains focused on empowering young people and driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
